Key mechanism for wind musical instruments



Del!- 1929- F. A. BUESCHER 1,738,351

' KEY mncrmmsm FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Mafch 5, 1927' 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. erdz'rmnd Bass c7: er

ATTORNEY. 1

Dec. 3, 1929. F. A. BUESCHER KEY MECHANISM FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSFiled Mrch 3. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

Ill-Plll- Patented Dec. 3, 1929 FERDINAND A, BUESCHER, OF ELKHART,INDIANA KEY MECHANISM FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Application filedMarch 3,

This invention relates to improvements in key mechanism for wind musicalinstruments.

As is well known in the art of saxophone construction it has heretoforebeen the practice, which has become conventional, for manufacturers ofsaxophones to have a rela tively narrow connecting arm extending from akey in such manner as to contact with a relatively narrow lever, theactuation of which lever makes Bb when the instrument is played. Saidconnecting arm is invariably provided on its contact edge with a narrowstrip of cork. In use the small contact surface between this narrowstrip of cork and the relatively narrow lever causes the cork to wearrapidly or become compressed so that the key fails to close fully,causing a leak, and the instrument cannot be played. This necessitatesfrequent replacement of the'cork bearing strip as well as considerableannoyance. My invention is therefore designed primarily to overcomethese defects without detracting'from the playing qualities of theinstrument, but rather to facilitate and improve them. f

\Vith the foregoing general object in View my invention contemplates theprovision of a means primarily for securely closing the key pad seat tomake Bb on a saxophone, thus preventing leakage which results in a falsenote or absolute failure.

Another object of'the invention is to provide a substantial contactsurface between the lever or levers which must be actuated to make Bb ona saxophone and the actuating member, whereby the wear of said contactsurface will be very slight and such wear as occurs will be compensatedby reason of the 40 particular construction of the member provided withsuch contact surface, so that the key pad will always vclose tightly onits seat when operated.

Another essential object of the invention resides in providing aself-aligning bearing having an extended active surface disposedlengthwise of the lever to be depressed, and with such means constructedand arranged to provide for the key of Bb to be tightly closed, at alltimes, when making such note,

1927. Serial No. 172,378.

thus preventing leakage and insuring satis factory playing of theinstrument by the muslclan.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, 5 a key mechanism for the purpose referred to,which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement,strong, durable,

compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily assembled, andcomparatively ineX- o pensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in 'VlGW the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically de- (:5 scribed and illustrated intheaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of theinvention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations andmodifications can be resorted to whichfall within the scope of theclaims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote v correspondingparts throughout the severalviews:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in plan of 5 a musical instrument of thewind type illustrating a key mechanism therefor in accordance with thisinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of a wind instrument, in side elevationillustrating a key mechanism therefor accordance with this invention. 1

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View, in cross section, of a modification. v

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, in side elevation of anothermodification.

' Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates a tubular body, whichis a fragment of a saxophone, and is provided with lateral openings 2,surrounded by rims 3, which constitute seats for the valves of the keysof. the instrument. As illustrated each valve comprises a pad 4, carriedby a pad cup 5, and So to the latter is fixedly secured a lever or 7 andits lever at8, and the latter is carried r either of the grooves andwl'iich proje is of greater length then the length by and extendsinwardly from a rock shaft 9. Fixed to a shaft 9 is the outer end of alever arm 10 which is positioned an appropriate distance from the lever8. The shafts 9, 9 are arranged in spaced relation and revolubly mountedon a stationary support ing bar 11, which is supported from and offsetwith respect to the body of the instrument. The shafts 9, 9 areconnected together by a coupling means 9 whereby they will shift inunison. Key valves are indicated at 12, 13 and each of which has a lever6 attached to a tubular shaft loosely mounted on a rod 14:. That shaftwhich is connected to the lever 6 of key valve 12 is indicated at 1 1and that shaft attached to the lever 6 of key valve 13 at 1.4". Thevalve '12 can be operated independently of valve 13. A means indicatedat 12, of known construction employed for operating the valves 12, 13synchronously, when the sleeve 11- is shifted on the rod 141. The means12 is carried by the opposed ends of shafts 1 1, 1 1". The valve 12carries a key or finger piece 15 for operating it independently of valve13.

The valve 13 has fixed thereon, diametrically thereof, a laterallyprojecting arm 16 of appropriate length and which is provided on itsinner edge with a pair of spaced transversely extending grooves 17 18,positioned a substantial distance from the edge of the valve 13.Eccentrical-ly pivoted in the grooves 17 and 18, ate self aligningbearing elements 19, 20 each of a length greater than an ap n'opriatedistance from each siile face of the arm 16. Each bearing element is ofs a;- mental contour and has secured to inner edge a strip 21 ofsubstantial time and formed of one, ioning material, procrably cork.

The bearing elements are eccentrieall; connected to he arm 16b means ofa coin pivot pin 22 therefor, and the sa'gl bearing elements projectfrom the inner ee e of said arm 16.

The element 19 is positioned o 10, and is ada ted to ride th purpose ofdepressing it whereby the l arm will shift ti e shaft-s9, 9 in unison,thus closing the valve 7. The lever arm 10 has its upper or outer edgeprovided with a lengtlr wise extending, flat bearing surface 241, inclining downwardly towaros the free or inner end of the arm. The saidbearing surface 2% 4 (if the pivoted bearing element 19 which isdisposed lengthwise with respect to said surface 24.

The pivoted bearing element 20 coacts with a lever arm 23 for thepurpose of depressing it. The lever arm 23 is constructed in the samemanner as the lever arm 10. The lever arms 10 and 23 are oppositelydisposed with respect to eacl'r-other. The cushioning strips for "thebearingelements, when these latter are active, ride for their entirelength upon the bearing surfaces on said lever arms, whereby anycompression applied to the strips will be uniform throughout, under suchcon ditions the strips will wear in a uniform manner.

The lever arm 23 has its outer end fixed to a tubular rock shaft 24,revolubly mountd on the stationary supporting bar 14. Operated from theshaft 2 1, is a spring controlled depressible key valve 26, carried onthe inner end of a lever arm 27. The arm 27 is fixedly secured at itsouter end to the rock shaft 2d, and is shifted by the latter when theshaft 2 1 is rocked. The arm 27 is provided with an extension 27. Thepivoted bearing element 20 and lever arm 23 associate with the valve 26.

Key devices for shifting the shaft 2 1, independent of the shiftingthereof by the lever arm 23, are indicated at 28 and 30. The key d'vice28 includes an arm 28 which engages the extension 27. The key device 30is connected to shaft 24.

The valve 26 can be depressed simultaneously with valve 7, by depressingvalve 12 through the means of the key 15. Onthe depressing of valve 12,valve 13 will simultaneously move to closed position, and the pivotedbearing elements 19, 20, riding against the bearing surfaces 2 1, willdepress the lever arms 10 and 23 thereby closing valves 26 and 7. Thevalve 7 is provided with a key 31, so it can he closed independentlyofvalve 13.

In the modified form illustrated in Figure 5, the laterally extendingarm or bracket 32, is provided with but a single self-aligning pivotedbearing element 33, pivoted at 3 1 and which coacts with the lever arm10 for the purpose of depressing the valve 7 to make Bb. The singlepivoted bearlng element 33 is mounted in the same manner as the doublebearing elements illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

In the modified form shown in Figure 6, the valve 26 is operated fromthe free end of the arm 35, which has mounted therein and dependingtherefrom a self-a-ligning pivoted bearing 36, constructed in the samemanner as the bearing elements 19, 20 and 33. The bearing 36 associateswith the lever arm 10 to depress it. The arm is carried by and extendslaterally from the valve 13 and is of a length to overlie the valve 26.That part of the arm 35 which overlies the valve 26. is provided with acork strip or other suitable cushioning material as indicated at 37. Theconstruction provides for the depressing or rather elosingof the valve26 when valve 13 is depressed to closed pov sition and provides for theactuationofvalve 7 to make Bb.

In my invention the arms 16, 32 or 35 do not engage with the lever armsdirectly, but insteadeach lever arm is engaged by a selfaligning pivotedbearing element disposed lengthwise of such lever arm and which providesmeans to always insure a tight seating of the valve of Bb or other valveor valves to prevent leakage. The lever arms 10 and 23 are relativelymovable with respect to the valve 13. I I

As to the operation of the mechanism for the l iaking of the key of Bb,in certain passages, it is more convenientto make the key with the firstfinger of the though it can be accomplished by using the side key. Thisis done by using the inside knuckle of the right hand and the first twofingers of the left hand. B flat can also be made with the first fingerof the left hand and at the same time press the button between the firstfinger button and the second finger button of the left hand.

It should be understood that the spirit of terial difference, so far asthe spirit of my.

invention is concerned whether said pivoted bearing element is pivotedto the valve arm in the path of the lever arm, or pivoted'to the leverarm in the path of the valve arm.

It is thought that the many advantages of a key mechanism for thepurpose set forth, constructed in the manner aforesaidflzan be readilyunderstood, and although the preferred embodiments of the invention areas illustrated and described, yet it is to be un derstood that changesin the details of con struction may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim is: i

1. A key mechanism for wind musical instruments comprising a valve, anarm radially projecting from one side of said valve, a membereccentrically pivoted to and disposed transversely of said arm, saidmember provided with a flat face to provide a substantial bearingsurface to traverse a cooperating lever arm.

2. In a device of the character described, relatively movable members,self-adjusting means on one member and in the path of movement of theother member for simultaneous movement of both members, when one memberis actuated.

3. In a key mechanism for musical instrumerits, a bodily depressiblesuspension means provided on its inner side with a pivoted bearingelement adapted, when said means is depressed, to traverse and actuate akey valve depressing device for tightly closing the key valve associatedwith said device.

4:. In a key mechanism for musical instruright hand, al-

ments, a'depressible key valve provided with laterally extendingsuspension means bodily carried therewith, a pivoted bearing elementsupported by and extending from the inner side of said means and adaptedwhen said means is depressed by said key valve: to traverse and actuatea key valve depressing device for tightly closing the key associatedwith said device.

' 5. In a valve mechanism for musical instruments, a depressible keyvalve provided with means. bodily carried therewith for tightly closinga pair of valves when said depressible valve is moved to closedposition, said means including a projecting suspended, pivoted,self-aligning bearing element.

I 6. In a key mechanism for musical instruments, a key valve depressingdevice having a part thereof a lever arm, a bodily depressiblesuspension means provided with a projectingpivoted bearing elementtraversing said arm when said means is depressed to actuate said devicefor tightly closin the key valve associated therewith.

I 7. In a key mechanism for musical instruments, a key valve depressingdevice having as a parttherecf a lever arm, a bodily depressiblesuspension means provided with a projecting pivoted bearing elementtraversing said arm when said means is depressed to actuate said devicefor tightly closing the key valve associated therewith, said lever armhaving an inclined surface traversed by said element. v

8. In keyme'chanism'for musical instru ments, a key valve depressingdevice having as a part thereof a lever arm, a bodily depressiblesuspension means provided with a projecting pivoted bearing elementtraversing said arm when said means is depressed to actuate said devicefor tightly closing the key valve associated therewith, said leverhaving an inclined surface traversed by said element, said elementdisposed lengthwise with respect to said arm.

i ,9. In a key mechanism for musical instruments, a key valve depressingdevice having as a part thereof a lever arm, a bodily depressiblesuspension means provided with a projecting, pivoted, adjustable bearingelement traversingsaid arm when said means is depressed to actuate saiddevice for tightly closing the key valve associated therewith, saidlever arm having an inclined surface traversed by said element, and saidelement disposed lengthwise with respect to said surface.

10. In a key mechanism for wind musical instruments, a key valvedepressing device having as a part thereof a lever arm, and abodilydepressible means arranged over said arm and including anautomatically adjustable bearing element projecting therefrom forlengthwise traversing said arm when said means is depressed to actuatesaid device for tiglztly closing the key valve depressed thereby.

11. Ina key mechanism for wind musical instruments, a key valvedepressing device having as a part thereof a lever arm, a depressiblekey valve having a laterally extending arm, and an automaticallyadjustable bearing element carried by and extending transversely of saidlateral arm and further interposed between said arms whereby the de-DIQF-Siilg of said key valve will depress the lever arm to actuate saiddevice for tightly closing the key valve depressed thereby.

12. A key mechanism for wind musical instruments, comprising a keyvalve, an arm carried by said key valve. a lever underlying said arm, apivoted self-adjusting member interposed between said arm and said leverfor shifting the latter, said member being carried by and disposedtransversely of said arm and extending lengthwise of said lever.

13. A key mechanism for wind musical instruments comprising an armcarried by a depressible valve, a lever underlying said arm and having aflat bearin surface, and a pivoted self-adjusting bearing member havinga flat face for raversing said surface when the valve is depressed todepress said lever, said member disposed transversely with respect toand carried by said arm.

14. A key mechanism for wind musical instruments comprising an armcarried by a depressible valve, a lever underlying said arm and having aflat bearing surface, and a pivoted self-adjusting bearing member havinga fiat face for traversing said surface when the valve is depressed todepress said lever, said member disposed transversely with respect toand carried by said arm, said member extending laterally in bothdirections with respect to said arm and lengthwise with respect to saidlever.

15. A key mechanism for wind musical instruments comprising an armcarried by a depressible valve. a lever underlying said arm and having aflat bearing surface, a pivoted self-adjusting bearing member having afiat face for traversing said surface when the valve is depressed todepress said lever, said member disposed transversely with respect toand carried by said arm, said member extending laterally in bothdirections with respect to said arm and lengthwise with respect to saidlever, and said member being eccentrically pivoted.

16. A key mechanism for wind musical instruments comprising an armcarried by a depressible valve, a lever underlying said arm and having aflat bearing surfacc,'a pivoted selfadjusting bearing member having aflat face for traversing said surface when the valve is depressed todepress said lever, saidmember disposed transversely with respect to andcarried by said arm, said member extending laterally in both directionshereto.

FERDINAND A. BUESCHER.

